Stories from the Field

Fresno Building Healthy Communities works with youth from all over Fresno bringing together a cohort of thirty plus interns every summer. Having had a successful trip for about half of their interns, they were invited to bring the rest to Yosemite for their own six day expedition. This time heading up to Yosemite's high country, the team ventured into the Poly Domes area.

Somehow, we are back into our day-to-day lives, with traffic and lengthy to-do lists and microwaves. This summer's Armstrong Scholars program, in retrospect, was so short, yet the impact of those twelve days in the backcountry with twelve amazing young women will forever shape our lives. We may have left the magic of the backcountry, but with the simple act of closing our eyes, we are taken to awe-inspiring wilderness, dirt-caked and deeply content.

When Krista Campbell laced up her running shoes for this year’s Dipsea Race, she wasn’t just in it for the views or the thrill of the course—she was running with purpose. A NatureBridge National Board member, Krista chose this iconic race as an opportunity to support a cause she holds close to her heart: getting more young people out into nature.

Forest Camp had a wonderful first summer in Prince William Forest Park, welcoming over 100 campers! Campers splashed in the creek, identified macroinvertebrates, played lots of gaga ball, and practiced their water quality testing and shelter building skills. New friends were made and fun was had by all!

Back-to-school season is here! We know how challenging it can be to prepare for one of the busiest weeks of the school year—when students are settling in, parents have lots of questions, and you may be feeling overwhelmed with managing a new classroom. Here are a few back-to-school tips to help you navigate this busy season!

When high schooler Rebecca Welch boarded a bus at 5 a.m. in a Safeway parking lot, she had no idea that she was about to embark on a journey that would forever transform her worldview, career path, and relationship with the outdoors. A quiet tenth grader from Burney, CA, Rebecca had never gone hiking, never camped, and rarely traveled outside her small rural community. But thanks to a teacher’s encouragement and a winning essay, she found herself en route to Yosemite National Park to take part in a NatureBridge program. Now a teacher herself, Rebecca credits the NatureBridge trip during her sophomore year with unlocking a whole new path for her future.